PBA 653 Module 3: Application of Business Concepts
Fall 2015
Mission Statement
The Stetson School of Business and Economics of Mercer University delivers career
focused business education to develop entrepreneurial leaders and responsible global
citizens.
Course Descriptions
PBA 653a.
Contemporary Topics in Management (3 hours)
Discussion of current topics facing business managers is the course focus. Issues include
management of a diverse work force and understanding the social and cultural issues that exist in
the global business environment. Responses to these challenges are discussed. Approaches to
managing change and legal requirements are examined.
PBA 653b. Global Macroeconomics (3 hours)
Economic trade theory and commercial policies essential for businesses operating internationally
include topics such as the theory of international trade, commercial policies, balance of payments,
foreign exchange rate determination and risk management. Macroeconomic policies are evaluated.
PBA 653d. Legal Issues Affecting Businesses (3 hours)
An introduction to the American legal system that includes topics such as the court system,
litigation, constitutional law, contract law, tort law, agency, business organizations and intellectual
property.
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The Instructor Team
Robert Perkins, Contemporary Topics in Management
perkins_rd@mercer.edu, office: 678-547-6179
Myriam Quispe-Agnoli, Global Economics
quispe_mj@mercer.edu, office 678-547-6171
Jody Blanke, Legal Issues Affecting Business
blanke_j@mercer.edu, office: 678-547-6313
Disability Statement
Students requiring accommodations or modifications for a disability should inform the
instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor
will refer you to the ACCESS and Accommodation Office to document your disability,
determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504 and to request
a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will not be
indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class,
students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must
provide their instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must
return the signed form to the ACCESS Coordinator. A new form must be requested each
semester. Students with a history of a disability perceived as having a disability or with
a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly
encouraged to register with the ACCESS and Accommodation Office and request a
Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information, please contact
Richard Stilley (stilley_r@mercer.edu), at (678) 547-6823 or visit the ACCESS and
Accommodation Office website at http://atlstuaffairs.mercer.edu/disability-services.cfm
Mercer University Honor Code and Council
Mercer University expects each and every student to maintain the highest principles of academic
honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty represent a breach of the University's
expectations and will be regarded as a serious matter.
See the Mercer catalog for a detailed description.
Inclement Weather
If severe weather occurs, classes will be canceled in accordance with the Associate Provost’s
decision of Mercer-Atlanta. Call the Mercer weather phone for information about class
cancellations—(678) 547-6111 (Atlanta) or listen to WSB 750 AM.
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Textbooks
1. Management:
A Set of Assigned Readings: TBD
2. Economics:
International Monetary & Financial Economics, by Jos Daniels and David
VanHoose, 2014, Prentice Hall. ISBN-10: 0132461862 or ISBN-13:
9780132461863.
3. Law:
Law for Entrepreneurs, Version 1.0.1, by Don Mayer, Daniel M. Warner,
George J. Seidel and Jethro K. Lieberman, eISBN: 978-1-4533-5187-1.
Available at http://students.flatworldknowledge.com/course/2407923
Reading Assignments
For detailed reading assignments, please see the individual instructor’s Blackboard space.
Exams
1. Management:
There will be two exams, and a team presentation.
2. Economics:
There will be two exams, a team presentation, and an essay.
3. Law:
There will be three exams, September 19, November 7 and December 5.
Assignments / Projects
1. Management:
More details will be provided in class.
2. Economics:
More details will be provided in class.
3. Law:
No additional graded projects or assignments.
Grading:
For detailed grading information, please see the individual instructor’s Blackboard space.
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Weekend 1
Saturday, Aug 22
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Leadership – What is it? Traits and Outcomes?
How will you lead? Read HBR Good to Great
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Law
Topics: Sources of Law
Jurisdiction
Court Systems
Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Law
Topics: Constitutional Law
Administrative Law
Weekend 2
Saturday, Sep 12
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Leadership – Teams? Is a team really important?
Current wisdom on leading teams. Read HBR Hackman
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Topics: Global Macroeconomic Analysis I: Balance of
Payments, International Trade and International Finance.
Market for Foreign Exchange and Exchange Rate Systems
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Law
Topics: Contract Law
Exam #1
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Weekend 3
Saturday, Sep 19
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Innovation Management–new ideas and new
businesses
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Topics: International Financial Arbitrage and Forward
Exchange Rate
International Financial Architecture: Central Banks and
International Banking
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Economics
Topics: Global Macroeconomic Analysis II: Economic Policy
and Exchange-Rate Determination
Weekend 4
Saturday, Oct 3
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Ethical management
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Exam 1
Topics: Global Macroeconomic Analysis III: Infrastructure
and Regulatory Framework
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Law
Topics: Contract Law
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Weekend 5
Saturday, Oct 31
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Change Management
Exam 1
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Topics: Balance of Payments and Exchange Rate Markets
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Law
Topics: Tort Law
Workers Compensation
Product Liability
Weekend 6
Saturday, Nov 7
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Talent Management—What works? Your career?
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Topics: Fixed vs. Flexible Exchange Rates, Trade Flows and
Economic Policy
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Law
Topics: Intellectual Property
Exam #2
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Weekend 7
Saturday, Nov 23
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Topics: Generational Management—Gen X, Y & Z.
and Global Management
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Exam 2
Topics: Policymaking in a Global Economy, Policy
Coordination in Monetary Unions.
Country Case Presentations start
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Law
Topics:
Business Organizations
Directors and Officers
Employment Law
Weekend 8
Saturday, Dec 5
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Management
Exam 2
Presentations
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Economics
Topics: Essays are due on the discussion about:
1. Global Repercussions of the US Financial Crisis and its
aftermath.
2. Sources of Economic Uncertainty and Risk for the Global
Economy.
Country Case Presentations end
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Law
Topics: Exam #3
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